Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was ordered to stand trial on charges of abuse of power and paying a minor for sex, fueling calls for his resignation amid a deepening clash with the nation’s judiciary.

Italy’s Parliament failed to approve the government’s 2010 budget in an “unprecedented” vote that raised questions about the strength of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s majority, with the opposition urging him to resign.

The resignation of Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti, expected by the end of this week, may be delayed after lawmakers from former premier Silvio Berlusconi’s People of Liberty party asked for more time to examine the country’s budget bill.

Italy’s main political parties are holding their fire on the government’s 30 billion-euro ($40 billion) austerity and growth plan, suggesting they won’t derail measures Prime Minister Mario Monti says are needed to save the nation and the euro.